VERNON COUNTY, Wis. – The local non-profit organization CASA for Kids, is looking for volunteers in Vernon County to serve as advocates for our community children. CASA for Kids was established in the Coulee Region in 1999, based in LaCrosse and provides services in LaCrosse, Monroe & Vernon counties.
CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates. CASA for Kids’ mission is to provide support and court-appointed volunteer advocacy so every child who has experienced abuse or neglect can be safe and have the opportunity to thrive.
CASA for Kids is solely focused on advocating for a child’s best interest throughout the duration of their CHIPS (Child in Need of Protection & Services) case. Volunteer advocates are trained and vetted. Once their case assignment begins, they maintain a positive and consistent presence in the child’s life. They advocate for the child’s best interest, needs, wants, additional resources/supports as well as providing recommendations.
CASA for Kids is vital to the trajectory of a child’s life and future well-being. A child with a CASA volunteer is less likely to reenter the child welfare system and the proportion of reentries is consistently reduced by half. CASA children tended to perform better academically and behaviorally in school but the most important factor is children and youth with a CASA volunteer reported significantly higher levels of hope. A child’s hope has been associated with positive outcomes such as academic success, self-control, overall wellbeing, positive social relationships and optimism.
CASA for Kids is looking for volunteers in Vernon County to serve as this HOPE for our community children. You must be 21 years old, complete 30 hours of CASA training which can be done online or in person at a Vernon County location. For further information go to https://casaforkids.org/ or call Anne Gordon, Executive Director at 608-668-1806.
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